Attention British grapple fans: the WWE is crowning its first UK champion.
The World Wrestling Entertainment United Kingdom Championship Tournament will be held at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool across the weekend of 14 and 15 January 2017. Tickets go on sale today, or you can watch online at WWENetwork.com.
WWE executive vice president Paul "Triple H" Levesque announced the news at London's O2 today. The organisation's head scout William Regal and trainer Robbie Brookside chose 16 wrestlers from across the UK and Ireland to hit the ring for the single-elimination tournament.
Competitors from the UK wrestling scene include Trent Seven, Pete Dunne, and Tyler Bate, stars of independent wrestling promotions including Progress. Also hitting the mat are up-and-coming Londoner Roy Johnson and and Irish high-flyer Jordan Devlin, who hails from the same home town as WWE superstar Finn Bálor.
English wrestler Nigel McGuinness will be one of the announcers for the big event.
It's a good time for British wrestling fans: the WWE announcement follows news that broadcaster ITV will resurrect World of Sport. In the 1960s, '70s and '80s World of Sport brought British wrestling superstars to the nation's living rooms. ITV will show a one-off extravaganza on New Year's Eve, featuring stars of the country's thriving independent wrestling scene.
